Adam Ashworth Ltd

Hat Manufacturers
of Hay St, Hooley Hill, Audenshaw,
also Adam Ashworth & Sons of Hornby St, Bury

Adam Ashworth Ltd was founded by Adam Ashworth Jr* and the hat works was situated on the north side of Hay St, off Guide Ln, Hooley Hill, Audenshaw. The origins of the company can be traced back to Adam Ashworth’s father, Adam Ashworth Sr, who was the proprietor of a hat works in Bury by 1851. Later, Adam Ashworth Jr was joined in the business by his son, Gilbert Ashworth, who was the company chairman when it was wound up in 1966.

The company based in Bury was initially styled as Adam Ashworth & Sons and by 1871 it was situated on Silver Street, Bury. When the company was wound up in Dec 1952 it was styled Adam Ashworth & Sons (Bury) Ltd, of Fernhill Hat Works, Hornby St, Bury.

Remains of the former Fernhill Hat Works on Hornby Street, Bury, viewed from the corner of Hardman St.

The architrave above the main entrance doorway of the former Fernhill Mills on Hornby St, Bury.

This was a new build for two woollen mills on behalf of Thomas Hardman & Sons. On the 2 Mar 1867 the Bury Times reported that the architects were Blackwell Son & Booth of Union St, Bury. The London Gazette records that this was a company of woollen manufactures and fullers, and a trade directory for 1891 shows that they specialised in products such as cloths for machinery. Thomas Hardman & Sons went into voluntary liquidation in Dec 1938 following which the building was converted into industrial units.

The Fernhill industrial complex was situated on the west side of Hornby St and it was comprised of three distinct units. Fernhill Woollen Mills were situated to the north of Hardman St, Fernhill Hat Works was situated to the south of Hardman St and Fernhill Cotton Mill was situated behind the hat works.

Adam Ashworth Jr

Adam Ashworth Jr (26 Apr 1850, Bury - 2 Mar 1939, Grange-over-Sands) was born to Adam Ashworth Sr (25 Feb 1804, Bury – 16 Apr 1890, Bury) and Sarah Taylor who were married at St Mary’s Church, Prestwich on the 16 Apr 1837. In 1861 he was resident with his parents and siblings on Silver St, Bury, still at school. By 1881 Adam Ashworth Jr had moved with his family to Shepley Rd, Audenshaw, where he was in business as a hat manufacturer employing 26 women, nine boys and two girls.

Gilbert Ashworth (1 Mar 1881, Audenshaw – Dec 1966, Wilmslow) was born to Adam Ashworth Jr and Mary Hacking Lord who were married at Bury in 1873. He married Mabel Pratt at Lancaster in 1910 and in 1911 they were resident at Mellor, Derbyshire. By 1939 they had moved to Wilmslow. He died in the same year that Adam Ashworth Ltd was wound up.

Hay St and the hat works at Hooley Hill are no longer extant and the only reminder of their former existence is Ashworth Ave off the north side of Water St.

Hooley Hill, 1913/18.

Guide Ln, Hooley Hill, early 20th century.

View looking towards the entrance to Shepley Rd.

Guide Ln, Hooley Hill, 1920s.

View looking north from the corner of Tame St. The works of Adam Ashworth is behind the viewpoint off to the left.